Bushfire Recovery Support

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:26): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Human Services regarding bushfires.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: On 10 February 2020, the minister released a joint statement with the federal minister regarding $4.55 million in community recovery and resilience programs for a range of areas, including the Mount Barker District Council. This included $3 million for a tourism recovery package. The statement then went on to refer to an extra $1.4 million just for Mount Barker. The statement also referred to cost sharing between the governments. My questions to the minister are:

1. How much will the South Australian government be contributing to this funding?

2. Which specific areas of SA will benefit from the $3 million tourism recovery package?

3. Did you as minister provide any advice about which areas should receive funding, and, if so, what advice was that?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:27): In relation to the first question, the answer is 50 per cent. It is a cost-sharing arrangement. I have outlined that previously in relation to the speech that I gave yesterday. In relation to the second question—

The Hon. K.J. Maher: Which specific areas will benefit from the $3 million tourism—

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: My understanding is that the Cudlee Creek and Kangaroo Island areas are those which are specifically being targeted for tourism. In relation to the last question, which was—

The Hon. K.J. Maher: Did you provide any advice about the areas that would receive funding?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: That is a matter that goes between the State Recovery Office of South Australia, in partnership with the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and minister Littleproud's department, that they do share some information. My understanding is that when minister Littleproud was here he actually visited the Cudlee Creek area and Kangaroo Island and my understanding is that he had some direct discussions with the Mount Barker council on the $1.4 million.